Method of reducing or removing wave curl or frizziness from hair



April 15, 1941. E. WHEATLEY METHOD OF REDUCING 0R REMOVING WAVE CURL OR FRIZZINESS FROM HAIR Filed July 4, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q00cc0060000000 O 0 0 O O 0 c 0 c O O 0 O 0 0 0 @0006000000000009 C. 0 O c C O Q J c O 0 0 Q 0 O 1 April 15, 1941. E, wHEATLE-Y 2,238,544

METHOD OF minnows o3 REMOVING WAVE CURL on FRIZZINESS FRou HAIR Filed July 4, 1939 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Ail/am "Z '41" mewsvs Patented Apr. 15, 1 941 UNITED STATE ivm'rnon 0F REDUCING on REMOVING WAVE com. on FRIZZINESS FROM HAIR Edward Wheatley, West Wickham, England 1939, Serial No. 282,800

Application July 4,

In Great Britain July 5 Claims.

This invention relatesto an improved method for removing or reducing superfluous curl, wave or frizziness from hair.

It is well known that to obtain a really satisfactory permanent' wave the hair should be allowed to grow until the old wave has almost grown out; further, the possessors of naturally wavy or curly hair such as those of negroid or Semitic strain often desire to have the curl or frizziness removed or reduced from .their hair as they find that such characteristics penalise them socially and in business.

The object therefore of the present invention is to provide a method of treating hair to remove wave, curl or frizziness therefrom. consisting in chemically treating the hair to soften it and then passing the strands ofhair lengthwise between rollers to apply a milling action whilst tensioning the strands by combing means, and then chemically treating the hair to re-harden it whereby hair with acurly, wavy, over permanently waved or frizzy tendency or characteristic can be reduced to a straight or substantially straight condition.

In carrying out the method the appliance which is used in conjunction with substances for pretreating and re-conditioning the hair comprises a frame supporting a plurality of teeth or pins and rotary rollers adapted taneously to apply rolling pressure to the hair, so that the pre-treated hair is milled by rollers.

In using the device the hair is pre-treated with a solution (which I term lotion A) so that it is softened or rendered malleable, the hair being rolled and stretched by the milling action of the rollers and the combining action of the teeth or pins whilst in such soft condition to remove the curl, wave or frizziness, the hair being subsequently treated with a reagent so that its normal hardness is restored.

The rolling and stretching reduces the hair to a straight or substantially straight condition. The hair is then treated with a further solution (which I term solution B) which neutralises the effect of the first solution, and hardens the hair in its straightened condition. In order that this invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect a sheet of drawings is appended hereto illustrating a suitable appliance for effecting the rolling or milling and coaching operations of the method of treating the hair in accordance with the present invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view.

v Fig. 2 is a rear elevation view.

Fig. 3 is a part sectional plan view, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional front elevation on line 4a,-4a of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings the device illustrated is merely shown as an example of suitable means for effecting a combined milling and combing operation on the hair after the hair has been pretreated and such appliance does not in itself comprise any part of the present invention which is primarily concerned with a method of treating hair. The said device comprises a two piece vice-like member or frame the upper and lower parts i and 2 respectively of which are hinged together along one edge as at 3, each frame member carrying one of a pair of rubber covered.- or other suitable rollers 4 and 5. Each roller is provided with a pinion or gear wheel (4a and 5a) and these two gear wheels mesh together when to draw the hair through V the interstices of the teeth or pins and simulthe frame is closed and are driven by a pinion 6 on the end ofa small crank l. The upper of the rollers is mounted in spring loaded bearings 8 and the pressure of the openings 9 thereof can be adjusted by raising or lowering the bearings8 by the rotation of the milled nuts Ill on threaded pins II fixed at their lower ends in the bearings 8 and slidable through bushes Ila threaded into the ends of the upper frame member I. Lock nuts l2 form abutments for the nuts Ill.

The two frame members I and 2 are oblong plates, the upper plate 1 having an upwardly stepped front part i3 which accommodates the upper roller 4 so that the periphery of this upper roller projects very slightly below the plane of the base of the plate I to afford frictional driving contact with the lower roller 5. blocks M of this lower roller are accommodated within short verticaluchannels 15 in forwardly projecting end parts 16 of two side bars 2a of the base plate 2, set screws ll locking the bearing blocks in position. These two side bars are bridged by an oblong base plate 2b which has a downwardly and rearwardly inclined upper surface upon which is detachably fixed by screws l8 a thin metal plate l9 carrying a plurality of staggered upstanding pins 20 forming in effect a plurality of parallel combs; The points of these pins nearly contact with the inner surface of the upper plate I, such inner surface also being inclin-ed so as to be parallel with the plate I9.

The plate I9 is formed along its rear edge with a trough 21 which is adapted to collect hair con-. ditioning moisture with which the hair is pretreated. The two frames I and 2 are secured The bearing in the closed position by a hook catch 22 on one of the frames engaging over a pin 23 on the other frame. The springs 9 yieldingly oppose the pressing together of the two rollers so as to ensure a tight yet yielding grip of the rollers on the hair.

In carrying out the method comprising the present invention the hair is first thoroughly moistened with a solution which has a softening or plasticising efiect on the hair structure, and the frame members of the beforesaid device are swung apart and the roller engaged opposite sides of a tress of hair. The hair is then spread over the comb plate and the upper half of the device is then closed upon the hair and secured by the hook catch. Dependent upon the thickness of the tress of hair the bearings of the spring loaded roller can be adjusted and when arranged to the satisfaction of the operator who exercises discretion as to the permissible softening period, I

the hair is drawn through the appliance by rotating the crank handle so that the hair is drawn towards the head.

The combined rolling and combing whilst still in a soft and malleable condition straightens the hair and the softening or plasticising fluid is squeezed out by the rollers to flow into the aforesaid trough. This rolling action produces a milling operation on the hair.

A second fluid or preparation is then employed which has the effect of neutralising the remains of the first solution and re-hardening the hair to its normal degree of hardness in its straightened condition.

The rolling and stretching operation may be repeated if the hair still shows signs of too much curl or wave; this however must take place before using the second solution.

For convenience the two solutions may be called A and B, solution A being the plasticiser and solution B the neutraliser and hardener, it being understood that no claim is made for either of these solutions per se or their combination solely.

Solution A is an alkaline plasticising agent having a potash or sodium base and consists of measured quantities of:

Potassium or sodium hydroxide ounces flg-Vg Distilled water do 4 Essence of eau de Cologne or other suitable scent minims 1 The essence is optional, only being present to scent the substance. It is preferred to .add to the above mixture about 2' drains of polyvinyl alcohol to form a gell to prevent the solution from flowing too freely.

This solution is employed in the manner described and causes the cellular structure of the treated hair to become plastic and malleable and the chemical action combined with the rolling and combing operation has the effect of slightly stretching the strands without destroying or impairing the cellular structure of the strands.

Solution B consists of measured quantities of Lig hamamelic (witch hazel) Acetic acid Industrial methylated spirit or spirits of wine Essence of oil of geranium Essence of oil of rosemary Distilled water.

The ingredients are added in the sequence stated and the essence-of oilof geranium or rosemary can be alternatives or combined.

Suitable proportions of the above constituents being as follows:

Lig hamamelis (witch hazel) ounces 1 Acetic acid do (or 2 drains) Industrial methylated spirit or spirits of wine ounces 1 Essence of oil of geranium mimms 1 Essence of oil of rosemary do 1 Distilled Water ounces 2 This second solution is a neutraliser of the first solution and should be applied within ten minutes of the application of solution A. Its use has the effect of re-hardening the hair in its reformed condition. It is applied by sponging or swabbing it over the hair.

The perfume constituent in either solution may be varied as desired.

The hair should be shampooed after treatment with the second solution to wash away any traces of the chemicals.

I claim:

1. Method of treating hair to remove wave, curl or frizziness therefrom consisting in chemically treating the hair to soften it and then passing the strands of hair lengthwise between rollers to apply a milling action whilst tensioning the strands by combing means, and then chemically treating the hair tore-harden it.

2. A method of treating hair .to remove wave, curl or frizziness therefrom comprising pretreating the hair with a dilute caustic solution to soften the hair, traversing a pair of rotary rollers along the hair strands to mill them simultaneously with combing the hair to yieldingly oppose the drawing action of the rollers, and subsequently applying restorative to the hair to i e-harden it.

3. A method of treating hair to remove wave, curl or frizziness therefrom comprising pretreating the hair with a dilute caustic solution to soften the hair, traversing along the softened hair a combing device simultaneously with a pair of .rotary rollers to tension and mill the hair, and subsequently applying .asolution of witch hazel, acetic acid with an essential oil and a spirit to re-harden the hair.

4. A method of treating hair to remove wave, curl or frizziness therefrom comp-rising pretreating the hair with a dilute caustic solution gelled by the addition of polyvinyl alcohol to soften the hair, traversing apair of rotary rollers along :the hair strands to mill them simultaneously with combing the hair to yieldingly oppose the drawing action of the rollers, and subsequently applying witch hazel and acetic acid combined with an essential oil and a spirit acting as .a restorative to the hair to re-harden it.

5. A method of treating hair to remove wave, curl or frizziness therefrom comprising pretreating the hair with a dilute caustic solution gelled by the addition of polyvinyl alcohol to soften the hair, traversing a pair of rotary rollers along the hair strands to mill them simultaneously with combing the hairto yieldingly oppose the drawing action of the rollers, and subsequently applying a mixture of Witch hazel, acetic acid, industrial methylated spirit or spirits of wine, essence of oil of geranium or rosemary or their combination and distilled water acting as a restorative to the hair to re-harden it.

EDWARD WHEA'I'LEY. 

